Lanus still leads; Boca humbled in 6-1 loss

AP , Associated Press

Apr. 14, 20139:54 PM ET

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — River Plate lost ground at the top of Argentina's first division on Sunday after only managing a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in round nine, a day after Buenos Aires rival Boca Juniors suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat against relegation-threatened San Martin.

Lanus remains at the top of the league after winning 2-1 against All Boys on Saturday and is two points clear of Newell's Old Boys, which had a 3-1 victory over Tigre on Sunday.

Arsenal opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Dario Benedetto latched onto a left wing cross to poke the ball first time past goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero. Rogelio Funes Mori equalized for River five minutes later after a through ball put him clear on goal and he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

River had the better possession and pressure on goal in the second half, but didn't create clear scoring chances and is now four points off the top of the standings.

The best opportunity to win the game came midway through the second half when Benedotto sliced the ball just wide from close range.

San Martin produced its first win in 16 games, and made it big. Humberto Osorio scored three times, with Jorge Luna, Lucas Landa and Sebastian Penco getting the other goals.

Santiago Silva scored Boca's only goal with a penalty in the 39th.

High-profile manager Carlos Bianchi returned to Boca before the start of the season and the club was considered a favorite for the title.

Instead, it is in 17th position with only one win in nine games. And pressure is mounting on Bianchi.

"The manner of the defeat is embarrassing for the team and I because these results don't just hurt but forces us to rethink a lot of things," Bianchi said in a statement.

Lanus needed a winner two minutes into second-half injury time from Silvio Romero to beat All Boys.

Mario Regueiro had put Lanus ahead in the 21st, before Luis Vildozo leveled in the 67th.

In other weekend matches, Estudiantes drew 0-0 with Godoy Cruz and Colon defeated Velez Sarsfield 2-1 on Sunday, Racing had a 4-1 win over San Lorenzo on Saturday and, on Friday, Argentinos drew 0-0 with Rafaela and Independiente had a 1-1 draw with Union Santa Fe.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — River Plate lost ground at the top of Argentina's first division on Sunday after only managing a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in round nine, a day after Buenos Aires rival Boca Juniors suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat against relegation-threatened San Martin.